Paika akhada or paika akhara is an Odia term which roughly translates as warrior gymnasium. Paika akhada were originally the training schools of the paika class of warriors. The paika were landed militia who were exempted from taxes in lieu of their services. They were not in the regular pay-roll of the army, but still received large land grants from the king. A peasant militia, the paika's main source of income was agriculture. In times of peace the paika served as law enforcement, and the paika akhada were used to keep the warrior class physically and mentally fit. Kharavela of ancient Kalinga relied on the military of the paika in his campaigns.The paika and khandayat reached their zenith of power during the Gajapati Dynasty, and were known as far as Indonesia. The paika lost their power and prestige in the early 19th century under British rule. Discontent over the East India Company's policies resulted in the Paika Rebellion of 1817, Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra Rai lead 400 paika in revolting against British rule. Descendants of the paika practice at their local akhara every day after work. Demonstrations are arranged every year for the Dasara festival and other occasions. Today's paika akhada are used for practising the traditional physical exercises in addition to the paika dance, a performing art with rhythmic movements and weapons being hit in time to the drum.